Kerbi Arer ra Tonarkarr (The Life and Customs of Our Ancestors) – b&w edition

Description

My artwork depicts through symbolism, the ancient lifestyle of our ancestors, and the way in which my people should live and conduct themselves today. In this print, warriors are armed with weapons, in particular our principal weapon the Sarekarr the bow and arrow, which was used to protect and defend our homeland. A warrior is also carrying a Gabagaba (stone club) representing law and order, truth and justice. The name Gabagaba derives from the word gab, which is translated, to “the right pathway” or “the right conduct” in which we must carry ourselves in everyday life as an individual community-minded person. Some warriors are depicted with spears, signifying that our people were fishermen and the survival of our nation relied on the resources of our many reefs and sea country, for our wellbeing and health till this day. Also in my print there is the humble stingray, which represents caution and respect towards all forms of marine life. The stingray is a soft creature but if you carelessly trespass on its territory its sting can be painful and sometimes fatal. A deeper meaning to this is acknowledging the traditional laws of our sea country and practising them. In my print there are also fruit trees, showing that we are also cultivators and conservationists of our land.